HOLOTHURIAN Meaning and
Definition
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A holothurian refers to a marine animal within the class Holothuroidea, commonly known as sea cucumbers. These creatures are echinoderms, belonging to the same phylum as starfish and sea urchins. Holothurians are soft-bodied organisms with elongated cylindrical bodies that can reach various lengths, ranging from a few centimeters to several meters. They typically have a flexible and leathery skin, often adorned with spines or other protuberances, serving as a means of defense against predators.
Holothurians possess numerous unique characteristics that distinguish them from other marine organisms. Most notably, they possess a water vascular system, a network of fluid-filled canals that facilitate locomotion and respiration. This system allows holothurians to move by coordinated muscular contractions and regulates water flow for respiratory exchange. Additionally, they possess a distinct feeding mechanism, using tentacles or modified tube feet around their mouth to collect organic matter from the seafloor.
Holothurians exhibit remarkable biological and ecological diversity, occupying various marine environments worldwide, from shallow coastal regions to the abyssal plains of the deep sea. Some species even inhabit extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. They play a vital ecological role as detritivores or deposit feeders, contributing to the decomposition and recycling of organic matter on the seabed.
Holothurians have been utilized by humans in various ways throughout history. They are consumed as a delicacy in certain cultures and have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Furthermore, their collagen-based body wall tissues, known as bêche-de-mer or trepang, are commercially valuable and fished on a large scale. Overall, holothurians represent an intriguing group of marine inverte
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for HOLOTHURIAN
- golothurian
- bolothurian
- nolothurian
- jolothurian
- uolothurian
- yolothurian
- hilothurian
- hklothurian
- hllothurian
- hplothurian
- h0lothurian
- h9lothurian
- hokothurian
- hopothurian
- hooothurian
- holithurian
- holkthurian
- hollthurian
- holpthurian
- hol0thurian
Etymology of HOLOTHURIAN
The word "holothurian" is derived from the Greek words "holos" meaning "whole" and "thuria" meaning "sac" or "bag". The term was coined in the early 19th century to describe a marine animal that resembles a soft-bodied sac or bag-like structure. These sac-shaped marine animals are commonly known as sea cucumbers, and the term "holothurian" is used to refer to this particular group of echinoderms.
Similar spelling words for HOLOTHURIAN
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